Introducing Torah Reading 65
This week’s Torah Reading is the 65th reading in our 3-year cycle. It is contained in Exodus 27:20-28:43. I’ve chosen to entitle this synopsis of the reading: The Renewed Covenant Spiritual Application of the Levitical Priestly Garments.
God Commands the Creation of the Levitical Priestly Garments
We find in 28:1 instructions relating to Aharon and sons serving as priests unto Yah. In Numbers/Bemidbar 18:7, we find that Yah refers to this appointment as a gift unto Levi’s line. These would be responsible for maintaining and operating the Tabernacle.
And then, the remainder of the 28th chapter focuses on the creation of the priestly garments (28:2-40).
Garments for Glory and Honor
Set-apart garments were to be made for Aharon to bring distinction to him and the office he would hold and symbolize the glory and honor associated with worship and service unto Yehovah. Yah mandated that Aharon wear these set-apart garments as an integral aspect of his service to Yah. Without the wearing of these garments exclusively by Aharon (and his Cohen HaGadol successors), as Yah prescribes, there would be no proper ministration unto Yah. For Yah stipulates that there be a mediator between Himself and humanity, at least until the New Heaven and New Earth are brought to fruition in the Olam habah.
These holy garments would facilitate Aharon’s set-apartness. Yeshua’s, our Cohen HaGadol, His set-apartness is defined by His Person and the faithfulness He maintained in His ministry. Thus, Yah exalted Him to this lofty office. And there He continues to serve and intercede on our behalf.
Aharon’s high priestly garments would be an essential element of his worship. Wearing these set-apart garments was as crucial to his worship of Yah as his character, behavior, obedience, and faith.
Renewed Covenant Application of the Priestly Garments
These vestitures foreshadow the Renewed Covenant concepts of holy and righteous living by Yah’s set-apart people. The idea of garments under the auspices of the Renewed Covenant is a metaphor for character. A netzer is expected to be clothed in clean, spotless, and well-maintained garments which speak to their righteous character. Righteous character consists of obedience and faith: The two foundational elements of covenant living. Our glorified Master tells Yochanan the Revelator that He knows of certain members of the Sardis Assembly who had not defiled their garments (Revelation 3:4-5). In other words, Yeshua revealed that some in the Sardis Faith Community had not compromised their profession of faith and who remained obedient and held to their faith in Him and Father Yah. These, according to Master Yeshua, would be rewarded by reigning with Him and with white raiment. The white raiment will be the restored brilliance and glory (i.e., light) that was lost to humanity at the time of the fall.
To soil one’s garments would, of course, translate into one compromising their walk in Mashiyach. Unforgiven and ongoing sin corrupts one’s spiritual clothes. When we come to faith, we are given a clean slate, which means that Yah issues each of us a clean set of spiritual garments. Throughout our respective walks with Messiah, we inevitably sin. In so doing, we must confess our sins to Yah, seek His forgiveness, and not repeat the sin. Thus, we maintain the cleanliness and integrity of our spiritual garments. However, when we willfully continue in sin, and we do not repent and seek Yah’s forgiveness and turn from our wicked ways, our spiritual garments become soiled and in a state of disrepair. Yah sees this as shameful (Rev. 16:15). The one who does not maintain his spiritual garments properly will forfeit their reward.
Israel’s Name Inscribed on the High Priestly Garments
Aharon’s set-apart garments consisted of various elements that acknowledged in multiple manners the 12 tribes of Yisra’el. Yisra’el’s well-being before Yehovah was the central focus of the Cohen Gadol’s attire. Thus, whenever the Cohen Gadol would wear the garment in service/worship, Yisra’el-Yah’s people-would be before Yehovah. How much more does our Master, clothed in holiness and righteousness, operating as our High Priest in the heavenly Mishkan, put forth our name before Yehovah day and night continually (Hebrews 7:25; 9:24)? As our prayers go up before Yehovah as fragrant incense, Yeshua intercedes on our behalf before Yehovah. Yeshua’s intercessory work in the heavenly Mishkan makes our prayers and worship acceptable before Yehovah (cf., 28:38). Praise Yah.
The Bigger Picture
Many have taken on the mantle to specifically codify the spiritual application of each element of the Levitical Priestly garments. And as fulfilling as this may be to us in our continued search for truth and our walk-in Mashiyach, I do not believe Yah purposes us to get lost in the weeds (so to speak) in our search for understanding of the types and images that are associated with the Tabernacle and its implements. I used to worry about the extent of my knowledge of these things. But the truth is that when we study and attempt to apply the many types, shadows, and images that the Tabernacle and its implements provide us to the Person and Ministry of Yeshua Messiah, we risk not seeing the bigger picture. For indeed, the whole of Torah is a prophetic shadow picture of the Person and Ministries of Yeshua Messiah (Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 9:9-11; 10:1). And so, instead of focusing on the minutia of such things as how the elements of Aharon’s garment directly applied to Yeshua’s person and ministry, let us recognize instead and praise Yah for His plan of salvation, redemption, and restoration, and our Master Yeshua’s role in making the restoration of our covenant relationship with Yehovah possible. Let us focus on maintaining our spiritual garments in an uncorrupted state and glorifying our Father in heaven. Because, like Aharon and his sons, we must have the proper attire, which is properly maintained, for us to worship and properly serve Yehovah our Elohim (28:43). Failure to wear the sanctioned and properly maintained spiritual garments that Yah has given us will result in our spiritual death.
Have a blessed and overcoming week in Messiah.